Grass ‘Tift 10’

ABSTRACT

The new variety  Pennisetum  ‘Tift 10’ is provided. The new and distinct variety has high ornamental value, cold tolerance for short periods of time, and disease resistance. The asexually reproduced variety is reliably propagated vegetatively.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: ‘Tift 10’ is atri-specific ornamental Pennisetum hybrid of the genus and speciesPennisetum purpureum×[Pennisetum glaucum×(Pennisetumpurpureum×Pennisetum squamulatum)].

Variety denomination: The new Pennisetum claimed is of the varietydenominated ‘Tift 10’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPennisetum herein referred to as ‘Tift 10’.

The new Pennisetum ‘Tift 10’ is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventors in Tifton, Ga. The objective of thePennisetum breeding program is to create new plant cultivars withimproved commercial qualities. This cultivar is commercially importantfor its superior ornamental value. These and other qualities areenumerated herein.

Pedigree and history: In 2003, red tetraploid (2n=4x=28) pearl millet(unpatented Pennisetum glaucum; designated ‘04-94’) was crossed with SC1125-2 [a Merkeron napiergrass (unpatented Pennisetum purpureum;2n=4x=28) that had been crossed with PS 262 (unpatented Pennisetumsquamulatum; 2n=8x=56)]. One vigorous plant, from the 04-94/SC 1125-2cross, designated ‘04-26-1’, was selected in 2004. In 2004, ‘Princess’napiergrass (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,728; 2n=4x=28, female parent) waspollinated with ‘04-26-1’ (unpatented; male parent). The new variety‘Tift 10’ was the tenth plant selected in 2005 from the 2004 cross. Thenew variety ‘Tift 10’ has been tested since 2005.

Asexual reproduction of the new Pennisetum ‘Tift 10’ by vegetativepropagation (single stem propagules) in a controlled environment inTifton, Blairsville and Griffin, Ga. since 2005, has shown that theunique features of this new Pennisetum hybrid are stable and reproducedtrue to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thecharacteristics of a new variety Pennisetum, ‘Tift 10’. The new variety‘Tift 10’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in, forexample, temperature, day-length, light intensity, soil types, and waterand fertility levels without, however, any variance in genotype.

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 5^(th) edition published byThe Royal Horticultural Society, London, England.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed in Tifton,Blairsville, and Griffin, Ga., and are determined to be the uniquecharacteristics of the new variety ‘Tift 10’:

-   -   1. ‘Tift 10’ reaches a height of about 140 cm and canopy        diameter is about 140 cm.    -   2. ‘Tift 10’ exhibits a vigorous growth habit.    -   3. ‘Tift 10’ is pollen and seed sterile.

The new variety Pennisetum ‘Tift 10’ can be compared to its femaleparent ‘Princess’ and its sister hybrid ‘Tift-17’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.21,464).

Plants of the new Pennisetum ‘Tift 10’ differ from its female parent‘Princess’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. The new variety ‘Tift 10’ is taller than ‘Princess’.    -   2. The new variety ‘Tift 10’ has a wider canopy diameter, has        longer and wider leaves, does not have green mottling in leaves,        and is resistant to Helminthosporium leaf spot compared to        ‘Princess’.

Plants of the new Pennisetum ‘Tift 10’ differ from its male parent‘04-26-1’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. The new variety ‘Tift 10’ is slightly different from        ‘04-26-1’ in adaxial leaf color. The new variety ‘Tift 10’ is        about Greyed-purple RHS 187A, whereas ‘04-26-1’ is about mottled        Greyed-purple RHS 183B/138A.    -   2. The new variety ‘Tift 10’ has a different midrib color. The        new variety ‘Tift 10’ has a midrib color that is about        Greyed-purple RHS 186B, while ‘04-26-1’ has a midrib color that        is about Red-purple RHS 61C.

Plants of the new Pennisetum ‘Tift 10’ differ from its sister hybrid‘Tift-17’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. The new variety ‘Tift 10’ is significantly taller than        ‘Tift-17’.    -   2. Culm-leaf angle is significantly smaller for ‘Tift 10’        compared to the culm-leaf angle for ‘Tift-17’.    -   3. ‘Tift 10’ has significantly wider leaves and significantly        better color than ‘Tift 17’.

The following observations, measurements, and values describe plantsgrown in Tifton, Blairsville, or Griffin, G. In Tables 1-9, the leastsignificant difference (LSD) is set at P≦0.05 probability level. Growthdays were included in ratings. Plants were spaced at 2 meter centers.All data are from plants established as single stem propagules inmid-May and rated in September through October, except the data labeled“Test 1,” from 2007 and 2009, in which the plants had been overwinteredat Tifton, Ga.

The new variety ‘Tift 10’ was significantly taller than ‘Tift-17’ in twoof four tests at Tifton, Ga. and in one of two tests at Blairsville, Ga.(Table 1). The canopy diameter and base diameter at ground level wereobserved to be similar between ‘Tift 10’ and ‘Tift-17’ (Tables 2 and 3).Leaf width differences between ‘Tift 10’ and ‘Tift-17’ were significantin two of three tests (Table 4). No significant differences weremeasured between these two cultivars for leaf length (Table 5).Culm-leaf angle was significantly smaller for ‘Tift 10’ compared to‘Tift-17’ (Table 6). ‘Tift 10’ had significantly more leaves per culmthan ‘Tift-17’ (Table 6). On Dec. 21, 2009 inflorescences were exsertedon ‘Tift 10’ but not on ‘Tift-17’ (completely vegetative) in threedifferent tests (Table 6). ‘Tift 10’ produced significantly fewer culmsper plant than ‘Tift-17’ in two of four tests (Table 7). ‘Tift 10’ hadsignificantly better color than ‘Tift-17’ in six of six tests (Table 8).Helminthosporium leaf spot is known to affect some genotypes in thisspecies but, this disease has not been observed at Tifton, Griffin, orBlairsville, Ga. on ‘Tift 10’ (Table 9).

TABLE 1 Plant heights (cm) of two ornamental Pennisetum grasses plantedat three locations in Georgia. Tifton Blairsville Griffin 2006 2007 20092007 2006 2007 2009 Growth days 158 d 188 d 189 d 151 d 138 d 123 d 141d Test 1 Test 1 Test 1 Test 2 ‘Tift 10’ 125 147 155 108 112 145 154‘Tift-17’ 115 126 148 99 72 140 137 LSD NS 18 NS 4 31 NS NSIn Table 1, plant heights were measured from ground level to top ofplant canopy. All height measurements are in cm. At Tifton, Ga., ‘Tift10’ and ‘Tift-17’ were planted on May 11, 2006, with measurements takenon Sep. 20, 2006, Sep. 17, 2007, and Oct. 6, 2009 (“Test 1”). The plantsoriginally planted in 2006 survived the winters of 2006/2007, 2007/2008,and 2008/2009 in the field. “Test 2” represents a planting of ‘Tift 10’and ‘Tift-17’ that occurred on Apr. 19, 2007, with measurements made onSep. 17, 2007. At Blairsville, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ was planted on Jun. 2,2006 and May 27, 2007, with measurements made on Oct. 18, 2006 and Sep.27, 2007, respectively. At Griffin, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ was planted on May14, 2009 and measurements taken on Oct. 2, 2009.

TABLE 2 Canopy diameter (cm) of individual plant of two ornamentalPennisetum grasses planted at three locations in Georgia. Plants werespaced on two meter centers. Tifton Blairsville Griffin 2006 2007 20072006 2007 2009 Growth days 158 d 188 d 151 d 138 d 123 d 141 d Test 1Test 1 Test 2 ‘Tift 10’ 133 143 137 135 155 144 ‘Tift-17’ 143 160 133141 135 163 LSD NS NS 4 NS NS NSPlant canopy measurements, as shown in Table 2, represent the averagediameters measured at the estimated widest and narrowest portions of asingle plant canopy. Measurements are in cm. At Tifton, Ga., ‘Tift 10’was planted on May 11, 2006, with measurements taken on Sep. 20, 2006and Sep. 17, 2007 (“Test 1”). The plants originally planted in 2006survived the 2006/2007 winter in the field. “Test 2” represents aplanting of ‘Tift 10’ that occurred on Apr. 19, 2007, with measurementsmade on Sep. 17, 2007. At Blairsville, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ was planted onJun. 2, 2006 and May 27, 2007, with measurements made on Oct. 18, 2006and Sep. 27, 2007, respectively. At Griffin, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ was plantedon May 14, 2009, with measurements taken on Oct. 2, 2009.

TABLE 3 Base diameter (cm) at ground level of individual plants of twoornamental Pennisetum grasses planted at two locations in Georgia.Plants were spaced on two meter centers. Tifton Blairsville 2006 20072007 2007 Growth days 158 d 188 d 151 d 123 d Test 1 Test 1 Test 2 ‘Tift10’ 49 40 25 36 ‘Tift-17’ 48 44 22 37 LSD NS NS 3 NSBase diameter is the diameter of the base of a single plant.Measurements are in cm. At Tifton, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ was planted on May 11,2006, with measurements taken on Sep. 20, 2006 and Sep. 17, 2007 (“Test1”). The plants originally planted in 2006 survived the 2006/2007 winterin the field. “Test 2” represents a planting of ‘Tift 10’ that occurredon Apr. 19, 2007, with measurements made on Sep. 17, 2007. AtBlairsville, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ was planted on May 27, 2007, withmeasurements made on Sep. 27, 2007.

TABLE 4 Leaf width(mm) of individual plants of two ornamental Pennisetumgrasses planted at two locations in Georgia. Plants were spaced on twometer centers. Tifton Blairsville 2006 2007 2006 Growth days 158 d 151 d138 d Test 1 Test 2 ‘Tift 10’ 42 38 39 ‘Tift-17’ 33 30 30 LSD 4 2 NSLeaf width measured in the center of the latest fully extended leaf. AtTifton, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ was planted on May 11, 2006, with measurementstaken on Sep. 20, 2006 (“Test 1”). “Test 2” represents a planting of‘Tift 10’ that occurred on Apr. 19, 2007, with measurements made on Sep.17, 2007. At Blairsville, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ was planted on Jun. 2, 2006,with measurements made on Oct. 18, 2006.

TABLE 5 Leaf length (cm) of individual plants of two ornamentalPennisetum grasses planted at two locations in Georgia. Plants werespaced on two meter centers. Tifton Blairsville 2006 2007 2006 Growthdays 158 d 151 d 138 d Test 1 Test 2 ‘Tift 10’ 77 61 79 ‘Tift-17’ 68 6183 LSD NS NS NSThe leaf length was measured from the leaf collar to the leaf tip of thelatest fully extended leaf. At Tifton, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ was planted on May11, 2006, with measurements taken on Sep. 20, 2006 (“Test 1”). “Test 2”represents a planting of ‘Tift 10’ and ‘Tift-17’ that occurred on Apr.19, 2007, with measurements made on Sep. 17, 2007. At Blairsville, Ga.,‘Tift 10’ and ‘Tift-17’ were planted on Jun. 2, 2006, with measurementsmade on Oct. 18, 2006.

TABLE 6 Leaf angle, leaf number, and heading characteristics ofindividual plants of two ornamental Pennisetum grasses planted atTifton, Georgia. Plants were spaced on two meter centers. Culm LeafNumber Inflorescence Exsertion Angle Leaves/Culm 2006 2009 2009 Entry2008 2008 Test 1 Test 2 Nursery ‘Tift 10’ 19.0 11.3 3.0 2.5 2.7 ± 0.5‘Tift-17’ 27.0 9.6 1.0 1.0 1.0 ± 0.0 LSD 4.5 1.3 0.2 0.5 —The leaf angle and the number of fully extended leaves per culm weremeasured on plants planted on May 12, 2008, with the measurementsoccurring on Oct. 10, 2008. The measured leaf angle was the angleobserved between the adaxial leaf surface and the culm at the leafcollar on the last fully extended leaf.

The reported inflorescence exsertion data represents the translation ofthe percentages of culms with fully exserted inflorescences into anumerical score. That is, a score of 1 is assigned to a completelyvegetative plant, 2 represents 1-20% of culms with fully exsertedinflorescences, 3 (21-30%), 4 (31-40%), 5 (41-50%), 6 (51-60%), 7(61-70%), 8 (71-80%), and 9 (>80%).

‘Tift 10’ and ‘Tift-17’ were planted on May 11, 2006 (“Test 1”). Theseplants survived the winters of 2006/2007, 2007/2008, and the 2008/2009at Tifton, Ga. The plants of “Test 2” were planted on May 7, 2009, whilethe plants termed “Nursery” were planted on May 9, 2009. All ratingswere made on Dec. 21, 2009.

TABLE 7 Total number of culms on individual plants of two ornamentalPennisetum grasses planted at two locations in Georgia. Plants werespaced on two meter centers. Tifton Blairsville 2006 2007 2007 2006Growth days 158 d 188 d 151 d 138 d Test 1 Test 1 Test 2 ‘Tift 10’ 35 3924 38 ‘Tift-17’ 52 61 27 65 LSD NS NS 3 16At Tifton, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ and ‘Tift-17’ were planted on May 11, 2006,with measurements taken on Sep. 20, 2006 and Sep. 17, 2007 (“Test 1”).The plants originally planted in 2006 survived the winter of 2006/2007in the field. “Test 2” represents a planting of ‘Tift 10’ and ‘Tift-17’that occurred on Apr. 19, 2007, with measurements made on Sep. 17, 2007.At Blairsville, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ and ‘Tift-17’ were planted on Jun. 2,2006, with measurements taken on Oct. 18, 2006.

TABLE 8 Color ratings of individual plants of two ornamental Pennisetumgrasses planted at three locations in Georgia. Plants were spaced on twometer centers. Tifton Blairsville Griffin 2006 2009 2007 2007 2009 2009Growth days 158 d 181 d 151 d 123 d 163 d 141 d Test 1 Test 1 Test 2‘Tift 10’ 8.8 9.0 7.8 8.0 9.0 9.0 ‘Tift-17’ 7.8 7.6 7.0 7.0 7.3 8.0 LSD0.7 0.6 0.5 0.8 0.7 0.5Color ratings are measured on a scale of 1 to 9, where 1 representsgreen and 9 represents dark purple/red. At Tifton, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ and‘Tift-17’ were planted May 11, 2006, with measurements taken on Sep. 20,2006 and Oct. 6, 2009 (“Test 1”). “Test 2” represents a planting of‘Tift 10’ and ‘Tift-17’ that occurred on Apr. 19, 2007, withmeasurements made on Sep. 17, 2007. Color in Test 2 was rated on youngpropagules in the greenhouse on Jan. 28, 2007 before the plants weretransplanted to the field. At Blairsville, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ and ‘Tift-17’were planted on May 27, 2007 and Apr. 28, 2009, with measurements takenon Sep. 18 and 27, 2007 and Oct. 8, 2009, respectively. At Griffin, Ga.,‘Tift 10’ and ‘Tift-17’ were planted on May 14, 2009, with measurementstaken Oct. 2, 2009.

TABLE 9 Helminthosporium leaf spot ratings on three ornamentalPennisetum grasses planted at three locations in Georgia. TiftonBlairsville Griffin 2008 2006 2007 2009 Growth days 153 d 138 d 123 d141 d Oct. 10 Oct. 18 Oct. 27 Oct. 2 ‘Tift 10’ 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 ‘Tift-17’1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 ‘Princess’ 5.8 3.5 3.5 6.6 LSD 0.2 0.6 0.5 0.6Disease ratings in Table 9 are defined as follows: 1=No disease,2=1-20%, 3=21-30%, 4=31-40%, 5=41-50%, 6=51-60%, 7=61-70%, 8=71-80%,9=>80% leaves infected. Symptoms occur in the field during late Augustand September. At Tifton, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ and ‘Tift-17’ were planted onMay 12, 2008, with measurements taken on Oct. 10, 2008 (“Test 1”). AtBlairsville, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ and ‘Tift-17’ were planted on Jun. 2, 2006and May 27, 2007, with measurements taken on Oct. 18, 2006 and Sep. 27,2007, respectively. At Griffin, Ga., ‘Tift 10’ and ‘Tift-17’ wereplanted on May 14, 2009, with measurements taken on Oct. 2, 2006.

TABLE 10 Summary of morphological characteristics of two Pennisetumgrasses. Trait ‘Tift 17’ ‘Tift 10’ Mature plant height 72-148 cm 108-155cm Diameter of plant canopy 133-163 cm 133-155 cm Leaf width 30-33 mm38-42 mm Leaf length 61-83 cm 61-79 cm Base diameter at ground 22-48 cm25-49 cm level, individual plants Number of leaves/culm 9.6 11.3 LeafAngle (Culm:Leaf) 27 degrees 19 degrees Midrib color Greyed-purple 187DGreyed-purple 186B Inflorescence None Yes Helminthosporium leaf spotNone None on mature plants

In summary, ‘Tift 10’ is similar to ‘Tift-17’ in canopy diameter, plantbase diameter, leaf length, and disease resistance. ‘Tift 10’ is taller,has wider leaves, a smaller culm-leaf angle, produces more leaves perculm, and produces exserted inflorescence at daylight of approximately10.5 h or less. ‘Tift 10’ has more attractive color than ‘Tift-17’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceand distinct characteristics of the new variety of Pennisetum ‘Tift 10’.The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with thephotographic and printing technology utilized.

Certain characteristics of this variety, such as growth and color, maychange with changing environmental conditions (e.g., light, temperature,moisture, nutrient availability, or other factors). Color descriptionsand other terminology are used in accordance with their ordinarydictionary descriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.Color designations are made with reference to The Royal HorticulturalSociety (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety Pennisetum ‘Tift 10’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new variety ‘Tift 10’ is a perennial at Tifton, Ga. (USDA Zone 8a).The new variety ‘Tift 10’ survived at approximately −7° C. for one nightand 13 nights below 0° C. in the field during the 2008/2009 winter atTifton. It has neither survived the winter temperatures (below 0° C. for45 days and a low temperature of −10° C. during 2008/2009) in Griffin,Ga. (USDA Zone 7b) nor those (lows of −13° C. and −15° C. in 2006/2007and 2007/2008, respectively) in the mountains of Blairsville, Ga. (USDAZone 6b). Because of its vigor, it can effectively be used as an annualwhere it will not survive freezing temperatures in the winter.

All data are from plants established as single stem propagules inmid-May, and rated in September through October, except the 2007 and2009 Test 1 data are from plants that over-wintered at Tifton. Plantswere spaced at 2 meter centers.

-   Plant:    -   -   Mature plant height.—Approximately 108-155 cm.        -   Diameter of plant canopy.—Approximately 133-155 cm.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 38-42 mm.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 69-79 mm.        -   Adaxial leaf surface trichomes.—Sparse, 1 mm.        -   Abaxial leaf surface trichomes.—None.        -   Leaf blade margin trichome length.—<0.1 mm.        -   Leaf collar trichome length.—Dense, 4 mm.        -   Leaf blade edge at collar trichome.—Dense at base (5 mm) for            7 cm from collar.        -   Sheath trichomes.—None.        -   Adaxial leaf color.—About Greyed-purple RHS 187A.        -   Abaxial leaf color.—About Greyed-purple RHS 186A.        -   Midrib color.—About Greyed-purple RHS 186B.        -   Helminthosporium leaf spot on mature plants.—None.        -   Inflorescence on Oct. 20, 2008.—Yes.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of the Pennisetum plant named ‘Tift 10’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 